Wrapper tube forming machine



June 6, 1939.A ky RA UC 2,161,479

WRAPPER TUBE FOHMING MACHINE Filed April l2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l June6, 1939. yl RA LUCE 2,161,479

WRAPPER TUBE FOEMING MACHINE Filed April l2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June6, 1939. V' Rv LUCE Y WdAFPER TUBE FOHMING MAb'rIINl-Jv Filed April 12,193,8` s sheets-sheet 5 Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE WRAPPER TUBE FORMING MACHINE Vern R. Luce, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 12, 1938, Serial No. 201,544

12 Claims.

My invention relates to a machine for producing tubular. wrappers from'astrip or web of thin, flexible material, such as Cellophane, waxedpaper, or the like, and the principal object of my invention is toprovide a machine of the character referred to that is entirelyautomatic in its functions, and which very rapidly and economicallyshapes a strip of flexible material into tubular form, twists theforward end of the tube so as to close the same, and then severs thetube at a point a pre-determined distance to the rear of the twistedforward end so as to produce tubular wrappers, each having oneendclosed, and said wrappers being ready to be filled, and the open endclosed by manual twisting operation.

The tubular Wrappers produced by my improved machine, may be used forpackaging various products; for instance, candy and various confections;nut meats; cigars or cigarettes; in fact, any product that may be packedand more advantageously displayed for sale, in moisture and dust proof,transparent containers.

Further objects of my invention are to generally improve upon andsimplify the construction of the existing forms of wrapper tube formingmachines; to provide a machine wherein a reciprocating plunger isutilized for imparting forward movement to the tubular wrapper after thesame has been given its tubular form by a xed shaper. Further, toprovide plunger driving mechanism that will move said plunger forwardlywith a slow motion, an-d` rearwardly with a much faster motion, and toprovide simple means whereby the reciprocating stroke of the plunger maybe easily and conveniently adjusted, so as to vary the length of thewrapper tubes produced by the machine.

Further objects of my invention, are to provide simple and eflicientmeans for engaging and twisting the open forward end of the tubularwrapper; and also to provide simple and positively acting means forsevering the tubular wrappers into proper and uniform lengths.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists incertain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts thatwill be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a wrapper tube forming machine, constructedin accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the machine with a portion of thetable shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken approximately on the line 4 4of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken approximately on theline 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational view, partly in section, and showing thejaws that grip the tubu lar wrapper to the plunger.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 'I-l ofFig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig.1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig.1.

Fig. 10 is a detail elevational View, partly in section, of the meansemployed fortwisting the forward end of the wrapper tube.

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken approximately on the line II-II of Fig.10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Fig. 11 and showingone of the twisting fingers engaged by a revolving cam.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line I3-I3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the wrapper tubes as formed bymy improved machine.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate apractical embodiment of my invention, Il) .designates a table supportedby legs II, and secured to and projecting rearwardly from said table isa pair of spaced parallel rails I2. The trunnions I3 of a shaft I4 arejournaled in the outer ends of the rails I2, and said shaft carries thespool I5 upon which is wound a strip or web I6 of thin, iiexiblematerial; for instance,'Cellophane, waxed paper, or the like, from whichthe Wrapper tubes are formed.

The free end of a flat spring I1 that is adjustably mounted on one ofthe rails I2, bears on one of the trunnions I3, so as to prevent thespool I5 from rotating too freely during operation of the machine.

Depending from the rails I2 are hangers I8, in which are arranged foi`vertical sliding movement, trunnions on the ends of a small roller I9,beneath which passes the web I6 of the wrapping material. Depending fromthe lower ends of these hangers I8, are rods 20 on which are adjustablymounted collars 2|, and secured to said collars are the lower ends ofretractile springs 22, the upper ends of which are secured to thetrunnions o-n the ends of roller I9.

This roller takes up the slack in the web I6 between the spool I5 andthe wrapper tube forming means hereinafter described, and the springs 22yieldingly resist the upward movement of roller 'I 9.

Journaled on the rails I2 immediately in front of the hangers I8, arethe ends of a roller 23 over which the web I6 passes in its traveltoward the tube forming member, and which latter is suitably supportedupon the rails I2 and upon the adjacent end of table I9.

The shaping and forming member 24, which is illustrated in plan View inFig. l and in cross section in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, is formed from thinsheet metal and comprises a channel-shaped bottom portion 25, the sidesof which are folded over into position immediately above and spacedapart from the sides of the body of said member 25, as designated by 26.

The end of the former immediately adjacent the roller 23 is flat andoccupies a horizontal position as illustrated in Fig. 7, so that the webof material IS enters the former between the flat bottom portion 25 andthe flat overlying portions 2B in corresponding fiat condition. The sideedges of the metal in the bottom 25 and overlying portions 26 are curvedupwardly and inwardly, s designated by 21, and these curved portionsgradually approach each other toward the end of the former that rests ontable I5, with the result that the intermediate portion of the former issubstantially channel-shape in cross section as illustrated in Fig. 8,and the forward portion of said former is substantially tubular in shapeas illustrated in Fig. 9, with a longitudinally disposed slot or opening21 between the upper edges of the inwardly folded side portions, andwhich slot is for the accommodation of the downwardly turned end of anarm 284 that is connected to the rear end of a reciprocating plunger 29.

This plunger is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement inbearings 30 that project upwardly from table Il), and a rod 3i connectsthe rear end of the arm 28 with the rear end of said plunger.

The forward end of arm 28 is rigidly secured to a carriage 32 that ismounted for reciprocating movement on rails 33, the ends of which aresupported by brackets 34 that project upwardly from table I0.

Pivotally connected to the side of carriage 32, is the upper end of anarm 35 that extends downwardly through a slot 35 in table if), and thelower end of this arm is pivotally connected to one end of a rod 31, theopposite end of which is pivotally connected to a bracket 38 that issecured to one of the legs II.

Secured to and depending from the rear portion of table I0, is a bracket39 in which is journaled one end of a horizontally disposed shaft 45that extends lengthwisebeneath the table I5 with its forward portionjournaled in a bearing 4i. This shaft 40 extends a short distance beyondthe bearing 4I, and mounted on the end of said shaft is a hand wheel 42that may be engaged, in the event that it becomes necessary to manuallyrotate shaft 40.

Mounted on a platform 43 that is secured to the rear legs II, is anelectric motor 44, having a conventional driving connection with apulley 45 that is journaled in the lower portion of bracket 39. Mountedon the shaft that carries the pulley 45, is a worm 46 that engages aworm wheel 4l, the latter being fixed on the rear portion of shaft 4I).Thus the motor 44v imparts rotary motion to shaft 40.

Pivotally mounted on a bracket 48, on the under side of table I0, is theupper end of a depending lever 49, the lower portion of which is slottedlengthwise as designated by 50, and mounted for rotation on said leverand extending lengthwise of slot 59, is a threaded rod 5I. This threadedrod 5I passes through a block 52, so that the latter may be adjustedlengthwise of lever 49, and screw-seated in said block is one end of arod 53, the opposite end of which is screw-seated in a block 54, and thelatter being adjustably mounted on the intermediate portion of arm 35.

The construction just described permits block 54 to be adjustedvertically upon arm 35, and block 52 to be adjusted vertically on lever49, and further adjustment of the blocks 52 and 54 toward and away fromeach other, and which adjustment provides for the very accurateregulating of the reciprocatory movement imparted to plunger 29.

Mounted on shaft 48 below bracket 48, is a grooved cam 55, and securedto the upper portion of lever 49 and projecting into the groove of saidcam, is a pin or bolt that carries a roller 55. Thus cam 55 impartsswinging movement to lever 49, and through rod 53 arm 35 is swungbackward and forward to impart reciprocatory movement to carriage 32.

The means for twisting the forward end of the tubular wrapper and forcutting the formed wrapping material into sections of proper length, islocated on the forward end of the table Iii, and the'se particularmechanisms are illustrated in Figs. 3 to- 6 inclusive, and in Figs. 10,1l, and 12.

Formed in the forward portion of table I, is an opening 5l, and securedon the table above said opening is a. substantially circular frame 58that serves as a support for the twisting head assembly. Mounted torotate freely in frame 58 is a ring 59 that is concentric with the axisof plunger 25, and formed on the exterior of this ring is a ring-gearE5. Mounted to rotate freely on ring 59 is a ring-gear Ei l, thediameter of which is slightly greater than that of the ring-gear B0.Secured to the side face of ring-gear 6I at cliametrically oppositepoints are arcuate cams 62 that are effective in imparting closingmovement to the twisting lingers.

These ngers, of which there are two, comprise body portions 53, theouter ends thereof being pivoted at 64 to the inner face of ring 59, andformed integral with and projecting outwardly through openings 55 inring 59, are curved lugs 56 that are directly in the path of travel ofthe cams 52. Secured to the rear side of each finger 53 is one end of aflat spring 5l, the free end of which carries a pin B8 that projectsthrough an opening 69 in the free end of the finger, and mounted on theend of the pin 68, opposite the end that is secured to the spring, is awrapper engaging button lil, having a co-rrugated face.

When the fingers 63 are swung toward each other, the corrugated faces ofthe buttons 'I0 engage the end of the tubular wrapper, and after closingsaid wrapper the engaged end is twisted, as will be hereinafter morefully described.

Secured to the intermediate portion of each nger 53 is one end of aretractile coil spring 1I, the other end of said .spring being connectedto ring 59, and in order to limit the swinging motion of the fingersaway from each other, stops 'l2 are secured to the inner face of ring 59and project inwardly toward the twisting fingers.

Mounted on top of table i5 directly in front of the frame 58, is abracket 'I3 provided with an opening 14, that is in valignment with theopening in frame 58.

Mounted on top of this bracket isa small bracket 15, in which isjournaled a pair of spaced shafts 16. Secured to and depending from eachshaft is a shear blade 11, and the lower portions of said blades areadapted to pass onev another so as tosever the tubular wrapper thatprojects through the twisting head beyond the forward end of theplunger. Secured to one of these shafts 16 is a short arm 18, the innerend thereof being provided with teeth 19 that engage the teeth of apinion 80 that is mounted on the other shaft. Thus, as the shaft 16 thatcarries the arm 18 swings on its axis, pinion 80 will be correspondinglyrotated to rotate the shaft upon which it is mounted, so that the shearblades 11 will move toward each other to sever the tubular wrapper thatextends between said blades.

Pivotally connected to the outer portion of the arm 18, is the upper endof. an arm 8| that extends-downwardly through the opening 51 in tableI0, and the lower end of this arm is bifurcated by 82 for theaccommodation of shaft 40.

Secured on shaft adjacent the lower end of this arm, is a cam 83, andprojecting from the lower portion of arm 8| into the `groove in said camis ak pin or roller 84. The groove in this cam 83 has an indentedportion 85 that projects inwardly toward the shaft 40, so that as thecam rotates, the passage of the pin or roller 841 through the indentedportion of the groove will draw arm downwardly, so as to swing the shearblades 11 toward each other.

The upper end of an inclined chute 86 is positioned in the opening 51,directly below the brackets 15 and 18, andsaid chute receives thesevered wrapper tubes and delivers the same into a receptacle positionedbeneath the lower end of said chute.

The means for gripping the forward portion of the tubular wrapper andholding-,the same against rearward movement as the plunger 29 movesrearward, comprises a pair of vertically disposed fingers 81 pivoted at88 to the upper portion of frame 5B, and portions of the adjacent facesof the upper ends of these fingers have toothed engagement with eachother, as designated by' 89.

Projecting upwardly from the upper end of one finger is a lug 90, inwhich is adjustably seated one end of a rod 9|, the outer end thereofbeing adjustably mounted on the upperend of a vertically disposed lever92. This lever which extends downward through the opening 51 in thetable is fulcrumed at 93 to the vframe 58, and the lower end of saidlever carries a roller 94. This roller is in position to be engaged by acam 95 that is carried by shaft 40, and as the result of suchengagemenalever 92 is swung on its fulcrum and through rod 9|, one ofthe fingers 88 is swung on its axis and through the toothed engagementbetween said fingers, the other finger is correspondingly swung so thatthe two ngers move simultaneously toward and away from each other.

The lower ends of the fingers 81 carry short cylindrical members 96 ofrubber that are positioned on opposite sides of plunger 29, so as topress the tubular wrapper against said plunger.

Pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of one of said fingers81, is one end of a rod 91, the opposite end of which passes through theopposite finger, and mounted on the projectthan that of gear wheel ||0.

ing lend of said rod is an expansive coil spring '98, the tension ofwhich may be regulated by a The means for transmitting rotary motionfrom the shaft 40 to the ring 59 and the ring 6| that carries the cams62 include a gear wheel |00 that is mounted on shaft 40, and said gearwheel engages a pinion |01 that is carried by a shaft |02, and thelatter being journaled in a. bearing that is formed on a bracket |03.This bracket is secured to and depends from the table I0 immediately tothe rear of opening 51, and secured on shaft |02 is a gear wheel |04.This gear wheel engages a pinion |05 that is carried by a shaft |06, thelatter being journaled in a bearing on brackety |03, and secured to saidshaft |06 is a gear wheel |01. This last mentioned gear wheel meshes.with a pinion IDB carried by a shaft |09 that is journaled in a bearingon bracket |03, and secured to said shaft |09 is a gear wheel ||0 thatmeshes with the teeth of ring-gear. 60

on'ring 59. j

A gear wheel l Il is carried by shaft |09 immediately adjacent the gearwheel |10, and the diameter of Vsaid gear wheel |I| is slightly lessThis gear wheel meshes with the teeth of ring-gear 6| that carries thetwisting finger actuating cams 62.

The -gearing just described is for the purpose of imparting rotarymotion of the proper lspeed from the motor driven shaft 40 to the ring59 and to the twisting finger closing means comprising the ring-gear 6|and cams 62.

Briefly, the operations incident tov the formation of vwrapper tubes,each having one end closed by being twisted, are as follows:

While the twisting fingers 63 and the fingers 81 carrying the wrappergripping members 96 are open or spread apart, the plunger 29l is movedforward against the closed end of the tubular wrapper, which end wasclosed by the preceding twisting action of ngers 63, and the tubularwrapper will be moved forward a predetermined distance through frame 58,during which forward movement the forward portion of the plungercarrying the tubular wrapper moves between the blades 11 which arespread apart.

During this forward movement, a corresponding-portion of the web I6 ofthe thin material used inproducing the wrappers will be unwound fromspool l5 and will be drawn through the forming member 24 which graduallygives the strip of material tubular shape, and in such form it passes onto the plunger 29.

At the end of the forward travel of the plunger,

fingers 81 swing toward each other so asto bring the elastic members 96into engagement with the tubular wrapper on the plunger, and thus saidwrapper is held against rearward movement with the plunger.

During the rearward movement of the plunger, or as soon as the forwardend thereof passes rearwardly from the blades 11, the latter areactuated to cut off that portion ofthe tubular wrapper in front of saidblades, which portion has its forward end closed, and the wrapper onbeing severed drops -into and passes through chute 86.

Immediately following this severing operation, the twisting fingers 63close so that the buttons 10 on the ends thereof engage and close theforward end of the tubular wrapper, and the twisting fingers are nowrevolved approximately two complete revolutions to close the same,during which time the elastic members 96 on fingersV 81 are inengagement with the tubular wrapper to hold the same against rotation onthe plunger while the twisting ngers` are functioning.

As the plunger starts forward on its subsequent movement through thetubular wrapper, so as to engage the twisted forward end thereof andfeed the wrapper forwardly through the machine, the twisting fingersopen or spreadl apart and simultaneously the fingers 81' carrying thepres'- sure members 96=open or spread apart, so that the tubular wrappervis free to be moved forward by the forwardly moving plunger- In the'operation of the plunger 29, motor 44 drivespulley and through worm 46and wormwheel 41 continuous rotary motion is imparted to shaft 40- andthe parts carried thereby.

As caml 55 rotates, lever 49 will be swung backward and forward, therebyimparting swinging movement to arm 35, and as the latter is actuated,carriage 32` will be reciprocated to impart corresponding movementthrough rod 3| and arm 28y to plunger 29.

The adjustable connections between rod 53, lever and swinging arm 35,enable the stroke or length of travel of the plunger to be veryaccurately regulated.

Fingers 81 carrying the rubber covered ends 96 that press against thetubular wrapper on the plunger to hold the same against rearward androtary movement, are actuated in proper time relation to the movementsof the other parts of the machine by the engagement of cam` 95 withroller 94, which swings lever 92 on its fulcrum and through rod 9|imparts swinging movement to the finger 81 to which said rod isconnected.

The degree of pressure of the rubber covered ends of the fingers againstthe tubular wrapper and' plunger, may be adjusted by manipulation of nut99 on the threaded end of rod 91.

The blades 11- are swung together in proper time'relation tothe movementof the tubular wrapper through the machine, to cut off theforwardportion thereof by the action of the cam 83 on roller 84 to move arm 8|lengthwise and thereby impart rocking motion toy the arm 18 and the twoblades moving in unison, due to the engagement of the teeth 19 withpinion 80.

Ring 59' carrying the twisting fingers and the ring 6|' that swings theends of said twisting fingers toward each other to engage the end of thewrapper tube, are actuated in proper time relation to the movements ofthe tubular wrapper through the machine by the train of reductiongearing comprising the gear wheel |00 carried by shaft 40, pinion |0I,gear wheel |04, pinion |05,

gear wheel |01, pinion |08, and gear wheels ||0 and which meshrespectively with ring-gears 60`and 6|.

Gear wheel |0 drives ring 59 and the twisting fingers carried by saidring make approximately two revolutions while the buttons 10 are inengagement with the end of the wrapper tube, thus producing two completetwists of the material.

Gear wheel ||I drives ring-gear 6| and the latter carries the cams 62,which in operation engage the lugs 66 on the outer ends of the fingers63, so as to close said fingers or move the same toward each other.Ring-gear 6| is slightly larger in diameter than ring-gear 60 and gearwheel that drives ring-gear 6| is slightly less in diameter than gearwheel 0, with the result that the ring-gear 6| that carries the twistingfinger closing cams 62, operates at slightly less speed than thetwisting finger carrying ring 59 that is driven by gear wheel ||0.

The forward end of the shaft 40 is provided with the hand wheel 42, soas to enable the various operating parts of the machine to be moved intodifferent positions to facilitate inspection, repair, adjustments, andalso for the purpose of permitting the web of material I6 to be threadedthrough the machine at the beginning of the wrapper tube formingoperations.

Projecting forwardly a short distance from the forward one of thebearings 30, is a short'tube 30a through which the tubular wrapperpasses as it is moved forward by the reciprocating plunger and the sidesof this tube are cut away to form openings 30h that permit the elasticmembers 96 carried by the fingers 81 to engage the tubular wrapper atdiametrically opposite points when the lower portions of the fingers aremoved toward each other.

Thus while the rubber covered portions of the fingers are in engagementwith the tube, the latter is held in proper position immediately to therear and in front of the pressure fingers by the circumferentialportions of the tube 30a, in front and to the rear of the openings 30(see Figs. 3 and 6).

One of the particular advantages of my improved wrapper tube formingmachine, is that the wrappers of thin, flexible material, such asCellophane, waxed paper or the like, are produced without the use of anadhesive and without the requirement for heat treatment in the sealingof the tubes for the twisting of the ends of the tubes, one by themachine and the other by hand, effectively closes the wrapper andprotects the contents thereof.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a wrapper tube forming machinethat is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture,and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form andconstruction of the various parts of my improved wrapper tube formingmachine, may be made and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed, without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scopeof which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a wrapper tube forming machine, a table, a plunger mounted forreciprocatory movement on said table, means for delivering wrappingmaterial in tubular form to said plunger, means mounted on the table fortwisting the end of the tubular wrapper in advance of the forward end ofsaid plunger, means for severing the wrapper tube at a point to the rearof its twisted forward end and means for imparting reciprocatorymovement to said plunger.

2. In awrapper tube forming machine, a table, a plunger mounted forreciprocatory movement on said table, means for delivering wrappingmaterial in tubular form to said plunger, means mounted on the table fortwisting the end of the tubular wrapper in advance of the forward end ofsaid plunger, means for severing the Wrapper tube at a point to the rearof its twisted forward end and means for operating said reciprocatingplunger, said twisting means and said severing means, in proper timerelation to the movements of said plunger and the wrapper tube carriedthereby.

3. vIn a wrapper tube forming machine, a table,

a plunger mounted for reciprocatory movement on said table, means fordelivering wrapping material in tubular form to said plunger, meansmounted on the table for twisting the end of the tubular wrapper inadvance of the forward end of said plunger, means for severing thewrapper tube at a point to the rear of its twisted forward end, meansfor imparting reciprocatory movement to said plunger and means foroperating said wrapper tube twisting means and severing means in propertime relation to the movements of said reciprocating plunger.

4. In a wrapper tube forming machine, a table, a plunger mounted forreciprocatory movement on said table, means for delivering wrappingmaterial in tubular form to said plunger, means on the table in advanceof said plunger for twisting the end of the Wrapper tube carried therebyand means for engaging the wrapper tube on the plunger and holding thesame against rearward movement with the plunger and against rotarymovement during operation of the twisting means.

5. A wrapper tube forming machine as set forth in claim 4, with Wrappertube severing means mounted on the table in front of said twistingmeans.

6. In a wrapper tube forming machine, a table, means for supporting aroll of wrapper tube forming material on the rear portion of said table,means on the rear portion of the table for giving tubular shape to theweb of wrapper material as it unwinds from said roll, a plunger mountedfor reciprocatory movement on the table, which plunger receives thewrapping material after the same has been given tubular form, means forimparting reciprocatory movement to said plunger, pressure fingersmounted for operation to the sides of the forward portion of the meansthat gives tubular shape to the web of wrapper material, means formoving said pressure fingers away from each other and means for movingsaid pressure fingers toward each other to press the wrapper materialagainst the plunger.

'L A wrapper tube forming machine as set forth in claim 6 and with meanson the table in advance of said reciprocating plunger for twisting andclosing the forward end of the wrapper tube.

8. A wrapper tube forming machine as set forth in claim 6, with means onthe table in advance of the plunger for twisting and closing the forwardend of the tubular wrapper and means on the table in front of `saidtwisting means for severing the forward portion of said Wrapper tubeafter its forward end has been twisted and closed.

9. A wrapper tube forming machine as set forth Y in claim 6, with meanson the table in advance of said plunger for twisting and closing theforward end of the wrapper tube and means for engaging and holding thewrapper tube against rearward movement with the reciprocating plungerand against rotary movement resulting from strains imparted to thewrapper tube by said twisting means.

10. In a wrapper tube forming machine, a table, a plunger mounted forreciprocatory movement on said table, adjustable motor actuated meansfor imparting reciprocatory movement to said plunger, means for givingaflat strip of wrapping material tubular shape and delivering the sameon to the plunger and motor driven means for engaging the forward end ofthe tubular wrapper to twist and close the engaged end in advance ofsaid plunger.

11. A Wrapper tube forming machine as set forth in claim 10, with meansfor engaging and holding the tubular wrapper against rearward movementwith said plunger and against rotary movement resulting from theoperation of said twisting means.

12. A wrapper tube forming machine as set forth in claim 10, with meansfor engaging and' holding the wrapper tube against rearward movementwith the plunger and against rotary movement as the result of theoperation of said twisting means and means in advance of said twistingmeans for cutting off the forward portion of the wrapper tube having thetwisted and closed forward end. i

VERN R. LUCE.

